Enzo Fernandez made an impressive Manchester City debut as an unexpected starter in Saturday’s 1-0 Premier League victory over Coventry City at the Etihad Stadium.
The £125m signing had been named among the substitutes after completing his move from Chelsea earlier in the week. However, a back problem suffered by Nico O’Reilly during the warm-up forced manager Enzo Maresca to bring the Argentina international into the starting line-up.
Fernandez quickly made an impact, helping to launch the move which led to Erling Haaland’s winning goal in the 26th minute. His involvement in midfield gave City greater control and helped them build attacks through the centre of the pitch.
The 25-year-old was also involved in another promising opening when his pass released Rayan Cherki, whose effort struck the post. Fernandez later appeared to have created a second goal for Haaland, but the forward’s finish was ruled out for offside.
His influence faded slightly after the interval as Coventry became more competitive, and he was replaced in the 76th minute. Even so, the performance offered an encouraging first glimpse of how the record signing could fit into Maresca’s midfield.
Fernandez’s debut had been brought forward by circumstance, but he looked comfortable alongside Elliot Anderson and showed the energy and passing range that persuaded City to match the British transfer record to sign him from Chelsea.
Haaland’s header from Antoine Semenyo’s cross ultimately settled a difficult contest, with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma also making a late save to deny Ellis Simms. The result gave Manchester City three wins from their opening three league matches and kept Maresca’s side at the top of the early Premier League table.
